Anna Henderson looks at the political implications for both the Nationals and the Liberals of the Nats' decision to abandon its net zero policy. Can banning kids from social media really work, and will the big tech companies comply anyway? Plus the strange story of the CIA Kryptos code and why the answer is being auctioned off. 

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese says that rather than ensuring Israel respects the basic human rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people, Western states - including Australia - have provided Israel with military, diplomatic, economic and ideological support. And investigative journalist Quentin Beresford examines the deep connections between the Labor party and the gambling industry in Australia. 

A new book looks at author Patrick White's startling use of language, his mythic depiction of the Australian landscape and the people who inhabit it, and the power his prose still holds today. Plus philosopher Lucy Allais reflects on the nature of forgiveness.

What does Ian Dunt think of the King's attempt to eject Prince Andrew from his royal lodgings? Then, in America, Chicagoans have been organising against ICE agents who are attempting to implement Trump's aggressive deportation agenda. Here at home, anthropology has turned 100 years old. Can the academic discipline escape from its colonial roots?

Anna Henderson looks at what changes the government is trying to make to environment protection laws and why the Coalition wants to split the bill. How an Indonesia-based surveillance company tracked journalists, activists and dissidents all over the world, and the scientists using artificial intelligence to understand whale language. 

Today, we look backwards. Gough Whitlam's dismissal didn't come out of nowhere; 1974 and 1975 were years of intense political turmoil and scandal. Paul Kelly was there, in his late-20s, as The Australian newspaper's chief political correspondent, and has become one of the chief chroniclers of the dynamics that led to The Dismissal. 

Political ghosts haunt Russia, as well. But there's a very specific belief, held by some Russian occultists, that the ghost of Stalin is haunting their country and can be contacted through the internet.

The famous Benin bronzes, looted by the British in 1897, are gradually being returned home to Nigeria. But they won't be on display at Benin City's new Museum of West African Art when it opens next month. Plus, classicist Professor Marguerite Johnson on understandings and expressions of love in antiquity.

Bruce Shapiro looks at Anthony Albanese's first meeting with US President Donald Trump and whether the critical minerals deal will see Australia become America's quarry. The little Dutch-speaking country of Suriname in South America has been ruled by a despot for years. But now it has elected its first female president who is promising to turn its fortunes around, and save its rainforests at the same time. Plus, why is the world running out of sand, and what can be done about it? 

Crikey's Bernard Keane on Barnaby Joyce's decision to quit the Nationals. There's speculation the New England MP may join the One Nation party. Pulitzer prize winning journalist Chris Hedges slams the Western media's reporting of Gaza and the power of the Israel lobby. And why epidemiologist Professor Fiona Stanley, considered asking the Perth hospital named after her, to remove her name. 

Tim Minchin turned fifty this year and just ran a marathon for the first time. He's returned home to Australia, with his new album Time Machine, and his tour 'Songs the World Will Never Hear'. In this special one hour conversation, David speaks to Tim about the joys of running, quitting social media and worrying less.

• GUEST: Tim Minchin
• PRODUCER: Ali Benton